Catestatin levels in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Introduction and Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition characterized by irregular menstruation, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Although the pathogenesis of the disease is not fully understood, it is believed that insulin resistance, obesity, and chronic inflammation play roles in its development. The molecule Catestatin (CTS), which is associated with these factors, has not yet been studied in patients with PCOS. In this study, serum CTS levels in patients diagnosed with PCOS were compared to those of healthy volunteers, and the relationship between CTS, insulin resistance, inflammation, and obesity was investigated. The aim was to clarify the role of CTS in PCOS based on the obtained results. Materials and Methods: The study included 69 patients diagnosed with PCOS according to the 2023 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) criteria, who presented to the Obstetrics and Gynecology outpatient clinic, as well as 66 healthy control subjects. Height, weight, CTS, sex hormones, gonadotropins, thyroid hormones, insulin, biochemical parameters, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured. Body Mass Index (BMI) and Homeostatic Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) values were calculated. The relationship between CTS and other parameters was analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. Results: The measured CTS levels were found to be significantly lower in patients diagnosed with PCOS (31.75 ± 38.53) compared to the control group (39.66 ± 34.72) (p = 0.001). A significant and weak negative correlation was found between CTS and CRP (rho = -0.220, p = 0.012). No significant difference was detected in CTS levels between obese and non-obese individuals within the PCOS group (p = 0.65). Additionally, no significant correlation was found between CTS and HOMA-IR values (p = 0.126). Discussion and Conclusion: The results of the study revealed that CTS levels were lower in patients diagnosed with PCOS compared to the control group. Furthermore, a significant inverse relationship was found between CTS and inflammation. These findings suggest that CTS could be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of PCOS. However, it is recommended that studies with larger populations be conducted to understand the potential of CTS as a diagnostic marker in PCOS and to explore its possible role in treatment.